§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost in the financial year 1983–84 to central and local government funds if all eligible people took up their full entitlement to the new housing benefit scheme for rent rebate and allowances and rate rebates; and what percentage of this amount is expected to be taken up.
§ Dr. BoysonEstimates of the total eligible population in 1983–84 are not available. However, as a broad guide to the magnitudes involved for standard housing benefit*, the proportion of those taking up their entitlement to rent rebates in the 1981 calendar year in England and Wales was 70 to 75 per cent., for rent allowances 60 to 65 per cent., and for rate rebates about 65 per cent. Estimated total benefit expenditure on these items in 1983–84 in Great Britain for standard cases is as follows:
£ million Rent rebates 720 Rent allowances 115 Rate rebates 500 * Standard cases are all housing benefit cases except those receiving supplementary benefit who are automatically eligible for 100 per cent. help with rent and rates, less deductions if appropriate.